Microsoft launched its first in-house tablet in late October, the Surface RT. Priced at $499 for a 32GB model, initial sales have been on the tepid side. However, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is confident that the device will catch on in the face of strong competition from iOS and Android tablets.

While Surface RT is based on low-power ARM architecture, Microsoft is bringing out the big guns in 2013. Microsoft announced today that Surface Pro, which comes packin' Windows 8 Professional, will launch in January. Unlike Surface RT, Surface Pro will be compatible with the vast library of legacy Windows applications thanks to its Intel Core i5 x86 processor.

Other niceties include a 10.6" ClearType display (1920x1080) and a full-size USB 3.0 port. The Surface Pro also includes a Mini DisplayPort that supports external resolutions of up to 2560x1440.

Since the Surface Pro is packing some serious firepower under the screen, it's a bit thicker and heavier than its Surface RT counterpart. The Surface RT is 0.37" thick and weighs 1.5 pounds, while the Surface Pro is 0.57" thick and weighs 1.99 pounds.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the Surface Pro won't be a cheap proposition. The 64GB Surface Pro rings in at $899 while the 128GB model will set you back $999.

Expensive? Lack of competition in this segment has been terrible for pricing until now. Last gen convertibles were in the $2000+ range.Even the Samsing ATIV Pro which is supposed to be at a relatively competitive $1100 price is actually available for $1600 or $2000 or such insace prices right now, maybe because of the low supply.This thing is a huge improvement in pricing.

But it is going to be late to the party. I just don't get why MS are delaying it so much. I've been waiting for something like this for years now, and I'm not gonna be waiting a minute longer if ATIV Pro becomes available at $1200 where I live. Lighter than surface, with real keyboard dock as opposed to a funny flap... sorry MS, you screwed up.

Sorry Visual, you screwed up, not MS. When you fix your eyes and see that not only the Touch Cover exists but the Type Cover is there as well, you'll laugh at your moronic "flap" remark just like I do :)

Guessing: Microsoft is holding back on releasing this so they can use a lower power Intel CPU which should be coming out in June. I am unclear as to whether this will be the CPU that uses 20x power at idle, I think that one is coming 2014.